Indeed, that's the expected use model.
People that upgrade their systems waste so much time and money, when they could just replace the system and get a new one instead.
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Memory in New $1099 iMac is Soldered and Not Upgradable
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Indeed, that's the expected use model.
People that upgrade their systems waste so much time and money, when they could just replace the system and get a new one instead.
I must have been absent that day. Please excuse my ignorance. I don't know what I was thinking.
I'm a shareholder and there is absolutely nothing about Cook that pleases me. He did have me fooled for a good period of time. I've been referring to that old snake oil salesman as a bean counter. Live and learn.
Yup. It reaffirms my opinion of Apple pricing. They're super competitive on the high end, but they kinda gouge you on the low.
If they're using an IPS panel over a TN, I could probably justify the price. But...do we even know if it is?
But it is aimed at most users. It will probably be the best selling iMac due to price.
This might be true but why would Apple do it if it is. If people buying this model are unlikely to upgrade the ram then you don't need to solder it on.
In truth I think the type of person buying this model is the person that in a year or 2 thinks their computer is running slow so they take it to someone to fix it and that person would upgrade the ram but they can't so... sorry sir you'll have to buy a new one it's old! I'm sure Apple knows this and is screwing people.
Thanks Scruff. Figured to post here and there again.
100% agreed on that one. When I have to read "Apple doesn't compete on Specs" it always makes me laugh. Some of the fanboy/girl stuff is too precious to miss and poke fun at.
Still surprised that Cook hasn't hammered the user base harder. Go and GET EM Timmy, price it to the moon!!!
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The people that like paying twice as much for half the performance?
One Trillion in the bank.
I was miffed over a year ago when, on the edge of buying an iMac, I found out I couldn't access/upgrade the storage without removing the glass (and that 3rd party devices wouldn't have the temp sensor support) but I came to understand that it just wasn't the right device for me. Close, but not quite.. and I ended up buying a Dell U3011 to plug my MBP (and now nMP) into. I still recommended it to others who it was exactly right for though.
And after so many years of building gaming PCs, I've learned that no matter what I buy or my rationale for doing so, it's essentially obsolete in a couple years - future proofing is a myth thanks to standards changes (manufactured obsolescence or progress, perhaps, depending on how you want to look at it).
Buying more than 8GB of ram (because I might need it eventually) has always been a waste and I have never needed access to a drive aside from moving it from one system to another (something that just isn't done with Apple systems since they can't be ordered without storage).
If anyone thinks they need more than 8GB of RAM through the life of their iMac, they're either mistaken or their workload likely demands the power of a Mac Pro anyway.
When most people think of upgrading their computer, it generally requires replacing enough of the core bits (motherboard, memory, and processor) that they're essentially getting a new system stuck in the old shell.
The iMac has far more than enough memory, storage, and power to handle the tasks that those who buy it typically do. Those who need more should be capable of recognizing that fact and buy a Mac Pro. The iMac is great as a space-saving and stylish desktop.
I suspect that, from Apple's perspective, having one configuration of soldered memory will reduce their support and manufacturing costs quite significantly with essentially no drawback to the consumer.
Apple does do some things very wrong (like not giving access to the 2880x1800 native resolution on the rMBP in the settings without a 3rd-party hack), but soldering memory into an iMac isn't one of them.
And after so many years of building gaming PCs, I've learned that no matter what I buy or my rationale for doing so, it's essentially obsolete in a couple years - future proofing is a myth thanks to standards changes (manufactured obsolescence or progress, perhaps, depending on how you want to look at it).
Buying more than 8GB of ram (because I might need it eventually) has always been a waste and I have never needed access to a drive aside from moving it from one system to another (something that just isn't done with Apple systems since they can't be ordered without storage).
If anyone thinks they need more than 8GB of RAM through the life of their iMac, they're either mistaken or their workload likely demands the power of a Mac Pro anyway.
When most people think of upgrading their computer, it generally requires replacing enough of the core bits (motherboard, memory, and processor) that they're essentially getting a new system stuck in the old shell.
The iMac has far more than enough memory, storage, and power to handle the tasks that those who buy it typically do. Those who need more should be capable of recognizing that fact and buy a Mac Pro. The iMac is great as a space-saving and stylish desktop.
I suspect that, from Apple's perspective, having one configuration of soldered memory will reduce their support and manufacturing costs quite significantly with essentially no drawback to the consumer.
Apple does do some things very wrong (like not giving access to the 2880x1800 native resolution on the rMBP in the settings without a 3rd-party hack), but soldering memory into an iMac isn't one of them.
God, I was just watching this review, about cheap HP desktops, and now Apple seems to be wanting to go the same route.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akVnl4HIHPY
Why would Apple want to dilute there brand? When I first heard about the price drop, I felt good, but after finding out exactly what they left out at this price point, I'm starting to think BAD move.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akVnl4HIHPY
Why would Apple want to dilute there brand? When I first heard about the price drop, I felt good, but after finding out exactly what they left out at this price point, I'm starting to think BAD move.
8GB of memory is more than enough for the market that this machine is targeted for. Apple works extremely hard to keep the operating system running smoothly, even on very old machines (8+ years), so this 8GB should have a lot of life in it. Mavericks runs just fine on my MacBook Air with 4GB of memory, so to have a machine with double that would be a dream! If and when I needed that type of memory, I would get a more powerful Mac than the entry-level iMac, so this decision was perfectly logical, in my opinion. Those that would care about this would also do sufficient research into the best machine for them, and this one isn't it.
You know how long it takes to install RAM? Like 10 seconds. Maybe as long as 40 seconds if you take removing the side of the case and putting it back on into account. It's a very small amount of effort for a potentially huge boost in performance (if you need it).
While I'm not saying this machine absolutely has to have upgradeable RAM (especially not this one), I'm finding your argument pretty weak.
Just seems a shame if your ram breaks your basically screwed now. I know you can get Apple Care for 3 years is it? Just seems a shame we now live in a world where the answer to a small broken part is throw the lot away and start again, sadly gone are the days when people could keep things going for years by replacing small parts here and there.
I understand the point a consumer doesn't want to upgrade and a consumer may not know how to fix it, but it just seems a waste how many laptops, computers, TVs and now cars are getting chucked all because manufacturers glue, solder etc parts together...
Shame.
I understand the point a consumer doesn't want to upgrade and a consumer may not know how to fix it, but it just seems a waste how many laptops, computers, TVs and now cars are getting chucked all because manufacturers glue, solder etc parts together...
Shame.
I'll say this, if in two years the average consumer needs to upgrade from 8GB of ram to run OSX, then I'd say Apple has some bigger problems than a potentially overpriced iMac.
It's never been a case of just spending $50-100 on a RAM upgrade with the latest 21.5" iMac. It's a complicated task to strip the machine down to access the memory slots and is much too complicated for the average user.
IFixit summed it up with their review
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Teardown/11936
This isn't complicated.
Apple wanted a cheaper entry model, so they needed a reason to lower the price.
They also clearly have an abundance of Macbook Air processors.
So they put the two together. The RAM is soldered on because that's the way it is in the Macbook Air.
Apple could have went with the Macbook pro Dual-Core Iris 5100 chipset, but that likely cost too much. They also didn't want the normal dual core processors that come with the HD4600 series. So the Macbook Air ULV HD5000 was the clear choice for them.
I agree that it should be even cheaper that it is though.
However, the one thing that bothers me is that the Fusion Drive is not standard. When I recommend people by Apple machines, having flash memory is so important, even just as a boot drive with apps. Apple could easily have done a 64SSD Fusion Drive in all the iMac's with this update. That is the real problem.
If the machines and that, it would effect the average users experience in almost everything that they do. That would have been a wise decision.
Apple wanted a cheaper entry model, so they needed a reason to lower the price.
They also clearly have an abundance of Macbook Air processors.
So they put the two together. The RAM is soldered on because that's the way it is in the Macbook Air.
Apple could have went with the Macbook pro Dual-Core Iris 5100 chipset, but that likely cost too much. They also didn't want the normal dual core processors that come with the HD4600 series. So the Macbook Air ULV HD5000 was the clear choice for them.
I agree that it should be even cheaper that it is though.
However, the one thing that bothers me is that the Fusion Drive is not standard. When I recommend people by Apple machines, having flash memory is so important, even just as a boot drive with apps. Apple could easily have done a 64SSD Fusion Drive in all the iMac's with this update. That is the real problem.
If the machines and that, it would effect the average users experience in almost everything that they do. That would have been a wise decision.
Welcome to the wonderful world of ultra-books 
It's about time Apple started have this non user-upgradable in the iMac, however not allowing to do a BTO order on the cheaper 21.5-inch iMac is really bad idea. Just checked, and while u can upgrade the others with memory, you can't with this new one..
Seems kinda odd.
Thanks a bunch Apple
I bet most people will not by this one. Except those on a budget.
It's about time Apple started have this non user-upgradable in the iMac, however not allowing to do a BTO order on the cheaper 21.5-inch iMac is really bad idea. Just checked, and while u can upgrade the others with memory, you can't with this new one..
Seems kinda odd.
Thanks a bunch Apple
I bet most people will not by this one. Except those on a budget.
actually the point is that the behavior your pointing out has bankrupt the PC industry.
How are you paying twice as much?
what imac is half the price? What imac has double performance for the same price?
Are you really this thick?
I bet a trillion dollars that 8GB ram will be enough Ram for the target consumer of this imac for the entire lifetime of the computer and then some.
Same goes for the more than adequate CPU performance.
Dear lord
Welcome to the wonderful world of ultra-books
It's about time Apple started have this non user-upgradable in the iMac, however not allowing to do a BTO order on the cheaper 21.5-inch iMac is really bad idea. Just checked, and while u can upgrade the others with memory, you can't with this new one..
Seems kinda odd.
Thanks a bunch Apple
I bet most people will not by this one. Except those on a budget.
A point in comparison, the razer blade 14, which I consider to be a sexy beast of a machine and what I assume to be a good seller even at $1999 for only 128gb of ssd, is also locked into 8gb memory
In my opinion, the price is way too high given the specs and the inability to build to order.
I am a big Apple fan. But, I wouldn't buy it.
I am a big Apple fan. But, I wouldn't buy it.